Police in strife-torn Cincinnati fired bean bags at about a dozen protesters yesterday after the funeral service for a black teen whose shooting by a white police officer triggered three days of rioting.

Four people were injured but officials could not say what caused the officers to fire. Police and FBI were investigating.

“They just pulled up and starting shooting at us,” said a sobbing Christine Jones, 34, of Louisville, Ky.

Several hundred protesters gathered outside New Prospect Baptist Church before the service for 19-year-old Timothy Thomas began, many carrying signs and chanting slogans.

Civil-rights activists, members of Louis Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam and members of the New Black Panther Party were among the protesters waving signs saying, “It’s time to shoot back.”

“This could have happened anywhere in America. We’re in a society that devalues us as black men.”

Protester Patricia Cooley, 40, screamed:

“Racist cops, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide. We’re standing up for all of us who police have mistreated. We’re tired of this.”

Hundreds of teary-eyed mourners, several wearing T-shirts bearing a photo of Thomas, bid him a tearful farewell.

Among those attending were Ohio Gov. Bob Taft and NAACP president Kweisi Mfumi.

“If you knew Timmy and what kind of person he was . . . this should have never happened,” said a 27-year-old mourner who asked not to be identified.

“My power forward is gone. I mean, he was my best friend. He was my heart and soul.”

Thomas, wanted on an outstanding warrant, was unarmed and fleeing from a cop April 7 when he was shot. His killing, the fourth of a black man by Cincinnati cops since November, prompted an investigation by prosecutors and federal agencies.

More than 200 people were arrested in looting, vandalism, arson and other violence in predominantly black sections of the city. And 350 more were arrested for curfew violations.

The Rev. Al Sharpton said he will attend Easter Sunday service at the church.

Sharpton decried the shooting of Thomas and said he “intends to call on” President Bush to initiate new legislation to stamp out racial profiling.

“I know this isn’t just about the latest case of Timothy Thomas,” Sharpton said.

“This is about a litany of cases. What happened in Cincinnati, [happens] here [and happens] everywhere in the country.”With Post Wire Services